Word@Work 1Pet40 - 1 Peter 3:8-9
Published: Fri, 06/19/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
LIVING UNDER PRESSURE
1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (NIV)
We all live under pressure to some degree. How we live, is determined by what we believe. Peter's personal relationship style was rather bold, blunt and opinionated; but he let God work on His character. He had found out the hard way that working with God's people was better than fighting against them; and humility was better than pride ... not just because the relationships became harmonious, but also because it was the lifestyle that God had called him into. It was not right because it worked: it worked because it was right.
Trading insults is common enough in any secular arena where Jesus is not honoured. But it is not the Jesus-way. He received evil but gave out blessing, and expects us to do the same (cf Luke 6:27-28). When we trust the Lord for our lives and futures, He will deal with those who oppose us. We may not be able to trust them, but we can pray that the Lord will bring them to repentance.
The thought of heaven often puts our lives into context. We are called to be with the Lord for ever and to inherit His blessing (do note that God never says that all the blessing comes in this life!). If that is true, and it is, then we need to start to practice the life which blesses people instead of cursing them. The workplace and the church can both provide opportunities to meet and bless difficult people. Your circumstances are God's school where you can learn how to respond like Jesus. So do not despair or trade insults; but react in humble compassion - difficult people are usually hurt people, who need the love of Jesus.
Prayer: Gracious Lord. How I thank You for your kindness to me despite my lifestyle failures. Hep me to show compassion to the hurt people around me, and to seek Your blessing where human nature would naturally curse. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
We all live under pressure to some degree. How we live, is determined by what we believe. Peter's personal relationship style was rather bold, blunt and opinionated; but he let God work on His character. He had found out the hard way that working with God's people was better than fighting against them; and humility was better than pride ... not just because the relationships became harmonious, but also because it was the lifestyle that God had called him into. It was not right because it worked: it worked because it was right.
Trading insults is common enough in any secular arena where Jesus is not honoured. But it is not the Jesus-way. He received evil but gave out blessing, and expects us to do the same (cf Luke 6:27-28). When we trust the Lord for our lives and futures, He will deal with those who oppose us. We may not be able to trust them, but we can pray that the Lord will bring them to repentance.
The thought of heaven often puts our lives into context. We are called to be with the Lord for ever and to inherit His blessing (do note that God never says that all the blessing comes in this life!). If that is true, and it is, then we need to start to practice the life which blesses people instead of cursing them. The workplace and the church can both provide opportunities to meet and bless difficult people. Your circumstances are God's school where you can learn how to respond like Jesus. So do not despair or trade insults; but react in humble compassion - difficult people are usually hurt people, who need the love of Jesus.
Prayer: Gracious Lord. How I thank You for your kindness to me despite my lifestyle failures. Hep me to show compassion to the hurt people around me, and to seek Your blessing where human nature would naturally curse. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work, click here to make a donation
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
All the 'back copies' for the series in the Bible books of Mark, Ephesians and James can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
W@W1Pet40 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2009 | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk